Free Walking Tour Cartagena Beyond Colombia

I joined the Free Cartagena Old Walled City Tour with Beyond Colombia, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. Our guide, Pedro, did a fantastic job setting the tone right away. Because it’s a two-hour walking tour in the heat, he began with helpful guidance: staying hydrated, understanding which vendors to engage with, how to navigate things like stray dogs and street sellers, and how to interact with the local culture in a respectful and safe way. It was genuinely thoughtful and set us up well for the rest of the tour. Our group had about 20 people, and Beyond Colombia provided small audio packs with headphones and adjustable volume. This was great because it allowed us to spread out a bit, take photos, or stand in the shade while still hearing the guide clearly. Throughout the tour, the guide offered a perfect balance of fascinating historical information and light humor. He kept the group engaged, even handing out small prizes, and he modeled a very respectful way of interacting with the community that encouraged us to do the same. I also appreciated the support from the secondary guide, Antony—I needed to step away to use the bathroom at one point, and he waited for me and helped me reconnect with the group. A small gesture, but very kind. One thing to be aware of: although it’s advertised as a free tour with a suggested tip, the tipping expectation felt stronger than I anticipated. The suggested amount was around 50,000 COP (about $13.50 USD at the time), and when I left at the end, the guide did catch up with me to check whether I had tipped. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it’s helpful to know if you’re expecting a low-pressure “free” experience. Overall, though, the tour was genuinely excellent—informative, fun, culturally respectful, and well organized. I would absolutely recommend Beyond Colombia’s Walled City Tour to anyone visiting Cartagena.

Fernando was absolutely exceptional! His free walking tour was easily the most magical experience of my entire trip to Cartagena. He brought the city to life with his passion, deep knowledge, and incredible storytelling. Every stop felt meaningful, every detail intentional, and his humor and warmth made the group feel instantly connected. Fernando didn’t just show us the historic streets—he made us feel their energy, culture, and soul. I walked away with a much richer appreciation for Cartagena and its history. If you’re visiting, do not miss a tour with Fernando. He truly made the city unforgettable.

Absolutely loved the walled city tour! Fernando and Camilla had loads of energy and kept us entertained whilst explaining the rich culture of Cartagena. Thanks! We did similar tours in Bogota and Medellin and did not expect much more historic info. But Cartagena has such a rich culture and history that the tour was definitely still worth it!

Fernando was fantastic. He has so much energy and took us round the city for 3 hours. Even though it chucked it down he kept sharing his knowledge and energy. A great guide and an excellent tour!

One of the stops on our Panama Princess cruise was in Columbia. Lots to see and do here and lots of options for excursions, the weather wasn't too hot yet so we opted for the guided walking tour around the town. They showed us the old town with the monuments and statues, beautiful squares and shops, talked about the history. A little bit touristy but enjoyable. Lots of local wares of crafts and food carts to choose from, a few beggars in all the traffic areas too. Beautiful churches that older than any in the US and the architecture and designs and embellishments are breathtaking. One of them is said to have wood carvings that are hundreds of years old, preserved forever. If you are Catholic, you should definitely put this tour on your list. Near the end of the day we stopped at the bird sanctuary and we were pleased. We thought it would be just a quick and simple walk through but it's very enjoyable and engaging. Peacocks around and tame, lots of big Macaws that you can feed and pose with. Many other exotic birds as well as you can see from the pics. Even some monkeys were there to put on a show.

We followed a free walking tour with Pedro in November 2025. It was a very interesting 2.5h tour mixed with personal experiences from Pedro's life. We learned about the history of the town, it's architecture and the person that built this beautiful city.

The best tour guide in Cartagena!!! Carlos showed us all around and even took us to his own house and bar 🩷 Amazing guy who knows so much about local history and keeps it real. Loved it so much we would do it again!!!!

It’s a must do if you are visiting Cartagena! There are two walking tours per day I believe, one at 10am and one at 4pm. I’d suggest taking the 4pm tour just because you avoid walking around in the heat and get to see the city with the sunset. The walking tour takes you to numerous significant sites inside the walled city and you’re told all about the history from Indigenous times, through to colonial and modern day. Our guide, Braulio, was very informative and answered all our questions. So if you’re a tourist here, it’s great to be taught the context to the place you are visiting!